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Jews Segregated By Papal Bull

The persecution of Jews during the Counter-Reformation was intensified by this 1555 papal bull issued by Pope Paul IV decreeing a broad range of anti-Jewish restrictions in papal territories. Jews were to be almost completely isolated from Christians by being confined to a Jewish quarter, restricted from employing Christians, and ordered to wear distinctive articles of clothing.

 


1. . . . in all future times in this city [Rome], as in all other cities, holdings, and territories belonging to the Roman Church, all Jews are to live solely in one and the same location, or if that is not possible, in two or three or as many as are necessary, which are to be contiguous and separated completely from the dwellings of Christians. . . . And they are to have only one entry, and so too one exit.

2. . . . [the Jews] may have only one synagogue in its customary location, and they may construct no new synagogue. Nor may they possess any real property. Accordingly, they must demolish and destroy all their [other] synagogues except for this one alone. The real property which they now possess, they must sell to Christians within a period of time. . . .

3. And so that they be identified everywhere as Jews, men and women are respectively required and bound to wear in full view a hat or some obvious marking, both to be blue in color, in such a way that they may not be concealed or hidden. . . .

4. [And they shall not] have nurses or serving women or any other Christians serving them, of whatever sex. Nor shall they have their children wet-nursed or reared by Christian women.

5. Nor may they themselves or anyone in their employ labor in public on Sundays or other feast days declared by the Church. . . .

7. Nor may they be so presumptuous as to entertain or dine with Christians or to develop close relations and friendships with them.

8. Nor may they use in the ledgers and account books which they have with Christians . . . any other alphabet than the Latin one or any other language than everyday Italian. If they do otherwise, these books will have no value [when brought as testimony in court] against Christians [who have defaulted on repayment].

9. Additionally, these Jews may carry on no business as purveyors of grain, barley, or other items necessary for human sustenance, but must be limited [in this sphere] to dealing only in second-hand clothing.

10. As for those among them [the Jews] who are physicians, even if they are summoned and requested, they may not come forth and attend to the care of Christians.

 

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